My Mansion of Gorgeous Maids in Another World-Chapter 60: Love

With help from both dragons and humans alike, Jett saved many more lives. He also met several newcomers who ranked high in the continent’s hierarchy, like fellow dragonslayers and the Stormcloud Duke. He sternly warned the dragonslayers to keep their identities and powers hidden, knowing that even his considerable influence might not shield them from reprisals. Jett then chose to partner closely with the Stormcloud Duke to carry out his wider mission.

Meanwhile, his maids and allied forces kept rescuing survivors while painstakingly recovering the ever‑increasing number of corpses. Faithfully returning each body to its grieving family was equally crucial. Yet the sight of so many bodies piled together in one blasted clearing darkened Jett’s mood even further.

Stormcloud Duke Galester, who had exchanged only a brief introduction with Jett, stole occasional glances at him. Strangely, his lips kept curving into a faint smile. Perhaps that fleeting expression was why he soon felt compelled to share his personal thoughts with the young Warden.

"Lord Warden, your expression mirrors my younger self," he said. "Back then my father forced me to face brutal reality, shattering my naïve ideal of a perfect Duke at that tender, hopeful age."

Like Jett, Galester yearned to wield real influence. Because he was fated to inherit the Stormcloud Dukedom, his ideal of a perfect Duke meant keeping everyone happy without demanding sacrifices. In truth, he never considered sacrifices at all—neither those he might have to make nor those his subjects might bear.

The younger version of him dwelled only on positives, forever plotting how to enhance what already seemed good. He assumed that, once he became Duke, few could threaten him. The complexities of noblesse obligation failed to enter his sheltered calculations at that time.

"My father personally toured me across the entire Dukedom. I witnessed countless slums, destitute villages, grasping nobles, and of course bloody wars—especially proxy wars—all firsthand. I kept bombarding him with questions: ’We are wealthy, so why can’t we spare a little for the poor?’ ’We are powerful, so why can’t we intervene and end these conflicts?’ and so forth."

Jett stared straight into the man’s eyes, eager to hear all the answers.

Galester smiled. "My father told me there will always be poor people. The best service nobles can offer is aiding those who truly wish to better themselves. We cut taxes, built special mills powered by wind enchantments for nearly free mana output, and launched countless programs for the needy—yet some never appreciated the help, or simply couldn’t capitalize on it. In desperation, a few even sold the gift mills to foreign powers, an act of outright treason. Regarding wars, he said we could only engage through proxy; if we intervened directly, we would bleed ourselves weak and let rivals sweep in to claim both sides with minimal cost of time and resources to us. Those lessons, and the scenes I witnessed throughout our Dukedom, widened my perspective and revealed what truly matters. They impressed upon me that leadership demands foresight, restraint, and unflinching resolve even when critics howl loudly in rage back. Still, one thing within me remains unchanged: I am, above all, willing to make sacrificial choices."

He glanced at the stub where the arm he’d sacrificed to slay a dragon once hung. If he had to forfeit the other, he would gladly do so to buy even a moment more for his people. Jett’s respect for the Duke deepened considerably, and gratitude warmed his chest further inside.

"Thank you," Jett said.

"No worries," Galester replied.

"I knew my life would be truly heavy on politics, and I thought I was doing really okay because I could read between the lines with my maids’ situation... but this is different—our positions are worlds apart. Now, though, I must clearly step back and see the bigger picture."

...

It was already night.

Countless stars glittered above Skia, whose architecture lay scarred and reshaped by Mia’s magic. The damage, paradoxically, had saved many lives. Still, casualties remained—victims claimed when the chasm split the capital, dragging hunks of earth into the abyss. The event felt like a massive earthquake, but everyone knew the true cause: the Dragons’ Scheme. Even with dragons and Ewelina rescuing countless souls, resentment lingered between certain humans and dragons. When the first mixed teams emerged from the chasm, bearing survivors as well as corpses, tension pooled in the shadows.

The cheers of families reunited after the disaster rang loud, their gratitude for the Warden filling the night air. Grief‑stricken whispers coiled through the alleyways, counterbalancing the celebration. Torches flickered along shattered avenues, throwing jagged shadows over makeshift shelters. Every breath tasted of dust and half‑spoken accusations. Yet that same Warden had sacrificed dragonslayers and failed to reach some households in time; for those mourners, his lateness eclipsed every triumph. In moments like these, the underlying reason mattered utterly little.

Perched atop Terraroa’s draconic back, Jett surveyed the battered capital, then closed his eyes. He could almost taste the stares. Resentment rolled toward him because he hadn’t saved everyone and had even allied with dragons. People were selfish; they ignored the broader vision and lacked the distance to ponder it. They wanted miracles—instant, personal, absolute—nothing less would satisfy them.

This journey has taught me so much... yet I know it isn’t over. I have no time to rest; instead I must steel my resolve, accept whatever comes, and carry that burden forward, unyielding, alone—

"Master," Noctlisa interjected suddenly. "We did good work, didn’t we?"

Jett looked at her... "Yeah." Yeah, I must carry that burden alone.

"So why do you look so despondent? It hurts me," Noctlisa asked, startling Jett until he stared at her as if he had just seen a ghost.

Noctlisa’s eyes first widened at Jett’s expression, then narrowed strongly as sudden shyness stole over her. "The Head Maid is truly alive, and so am I. Eleonora’s still kicking, too. So why the long face?"

As a knight and daughter of the First General, Noctlisa had witnessed many sacrifices made during brutal, bloody wars for a greater cause. Dullahans donned armor for all sorts of reasons, yet none felt entitled to survive simply because metal covered their bones. That perspective might have been uniquely hers, but the moment she voiced it, Jett fully understood exactly where she was coming from.

"The outcome isn’t the best, but it’s still good, isn’t it?" Jett asked.

Noctlisa nodded. "Aye."

"I was naïve, and I never expected to order people to their deaths... the realization hit me like an avalanche, but the bigger picture isn’t so bad. Sorry for worrying you," Jett replied.

Noctlisa shook her head. "No need. I understand now why Master is so sad. I want to share that pain with you. The deaths of dragonslayers from other countries will surely ripple further through the Dukedoms and inspire schemes among northern nobles. That’s how I see it as a knight. If you wish, we can discuss it later."

Jett nodded. "Surely. Thanks, Noctlisa."

Noctlisa’s lips curved into a dazzling smile as she nodded to her Master, radiating emotions that struck Jett harder than a runaway truck. Unexpectedly, in that single instant, a feeling more precious than lust or simple curiosity for Noctlisa blossomed—warm, undeniable, transformative, pure, and startlingly sweet—inside his heart.

He fell in love with her for real.

...

"Welcome back, Master Jett." Mia bowed low and even executed a curtsy; she had been yearning for hours to see her master and serve him. "It pleases my heart to see you returned so safe and truly well."

"Yeah. Harbinger is still down in the chasm, but the Dragon Empress can handle them. She’ll do her job. We did ours—saved all we could out there tonight, after all—" Jett said, and Mia immediately sensed there was more buried inside his words for now.

"Understood, Master Jett. Good job," Mia replied, then pivoted toward Noctlisa and Eleonora, her tone sharpening. "I need a thorough report of what happened inside the chasm."

Noctlisa nodded. "Aye."

Eleonora nodded. "Yes." freēnovelkiss.com

Mia turned her attention back to her Master, smiling broadly. "We saved as many as we could according to your wishes, Master Jett. Ewelina and Lulu aided me well, and the dragons did likewise. The situation is under control, and now that Duke Stormcloud has returned, we can hand matters to him and focus on ourselves."

"Sure," Jett nodded, turning around.

The elder dragons joined the group, standing like an orderly army, each in human form. Jett looked each one over with respect and gratitude. Their shared understanding, wisdom, and strength unquestionably made the path ahead far, far easier indeed for him.

"You have my deepest thanks, Terraroa, and the rest of the dragons. Because of my role and my ties to Skytianeus, we’ll meet again. I hope the Dragon Empress goes easy on you."

"We’re honored, Lord Warden," Terraroa replied on behalf of the group. "We firmly believe in your vision, completely and faithfully, and will present it to Her Majesty so she understands your perspective without any distortion. As for punishment, fear not—though old, we are still sturdy."

He smiled along with the others.

Jett reciprocated their smiles.

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